"I perceive value, I confer value, I create value, I even create — or guarantee — existence. Hence, my compulsion to make “lists.” The things (Beethoven’s music, movies, business firms) won’t exist unless I signify my interest in them by at least noting down their names.” -Susan Sontag

Monday, October 11, 2010

Halloween Challenge #4 - The Birds

I've never seen The Birds because I honestly couldn't believe that birds could be scary. The whole premise seemed sort of silly. In fact, it always made me think of a Far Side cartoon in which a farmer and his wife are sitting in their house looking scared and saying, "Oh no! The chickens have cut the power!".

They're birds.

But, I get a lot of; "YOU haven't seen THE BIRDS?" So, fine. I watched it.

My overall impressions is that it has not aged well and it is not one of Hitchcock's better films. However, I did like it more than I expected to, and probably because he is such a fine director. I did get a little bored though (it is just not that scary), so here are my notes taken while watching:

- I had no idea this was based on a story by Daphne Du Maurnier-Ahh... San Francisco-I spy Hitchcock!-Tippi Hedren... she talks funny. I'm surprised they didn't do re-takes for some of her lines.-the lack of a constant soundtrack

This was actually the thing I noticed most in watching the film and I really enjoyed it. There's a lot of silence. There isn't a constant score playing, trying to ramp up your emotions. It actually does a better job of letting the audience tense up on their own than if there were screeching violins in the background.

-Ah, painted backdrops. You look so silly.-Man, pecked out eyes. Way gorier than what I would have expected for something this old.-I'm sorry. I find this romance utterly unconvincing.-Ok. The birds on the playground is pretty creepy.-The kids running away? Not so much.-Tippi is actually a pretty strong heroine. Surprisingly.-Bitchy old ornithologist FTW.-Crazy Irish drunk FTW.-The birds looking down on the explosion might be my new favorite camera shot.-Wrestling with a seagull? Not. Scary.-but those live ones sure looked painful.-Oh my god. Stop standing there and help.-Some of those sound effects are not birds. They sound like lasers.-Oh my god. The birds cut the power!-I take it it back about her being a strong heroine. Open the fucking door!-Wait, WHAT?!? That's the end? Abrupt much? Sheesh.